Friday, May 29, 2009

Do you realise that as an ordinary person YOU have extraordinary power? I went to a leadership Forum last week and I've been thinking a ton about the subject. It was actually about blogging and telling MY story. People want to read about Ordinary people doing their own extraordinary things. I have Power beyond measure just by commenting and sharing about my experiences. And you too have more power and influence then you might think.Think to yourself about the stories you have read or heard that are most touching to you? Are they by leaders of countries? Or are they by and from ordinary people who you can relate to. I find that the most heart wrenching and touching stories to me are told by those who lead ordinary lives and who are willing to share their experiences with me.I challenge all of you to share something you have learned or experienced today. Answer the question what has made you better today? Where have you seen god's hand in your life? Who is your role model, why? There are so many experiences and stories to share, all you have to do is take the time and share it. You never know who's life you will touch through your experiences.

My Ordinary Experience

"Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence." -2nd Nephi 1:20

This phrase is basically the theme of the Book of Mormon and as of late I have been pondering upon its application to me. I mean I am a good girl, i don't murder, or commit adultery or anything, but do i keep the commandments of god the best that i can? I am preparing to serve a mission and I can see Satan's influence stronger then ever. I am so far from perfect and I know my weaknesses, and it is apparent that Satan does too. I find i am getting distracted from my goals and letting myself slack. It is interesting how it isn't the "big" commandments that Satan uses to destroy us, it is the small things, which slowly begin to bind me. We all will face challenging things but we need to remember to face those trials with virtue and will integrity. We are asked to follow the commandments of the lord not because they are going to hold us back but because they make us free and truly happier.I can promise you that if you do the things the lord asks you will be blessed beyond measure. I pray that you never have to experience a time when the lord cuts off his presence from you. Commandments are blessings and through divine obedience you too can be blessed! So this is my ordinary experience, and i testify to you that these things are true, not because i was told they were, but because i have experiences.Quote: "It matters not that you are well known. What matters is that you are worthy of knowing. "A. Kerr

Thursday, May 14, 2009

I love the temple. It never stops to amaze me the feelings i get when i am there. This semester I was called to be the Ward Family History Consultant. I teach a class each Sunday for a 4 weeks. I do this rotation twice in the semester. So i teach 4 lessons to two groups of people. I am teaching the third lesson this week. When i was extended the call I was told my job was to "share my enthusiaum and exite others about family history". I was not given a lesson manuel, or any guidelines other then to educate and excite. What a Task!

So the first lesson went well, talked about why we need to do family history and that is was part of the grand plan of salvation and introduced the new family search program. Then last week i taught on faith, diligence and importance they play in doing the work. Also the importance of keeping a person history. That was a good lesson, then this week i have no idea what i am going to teach on. I have the 4th week's lesson all ready but i can't do four if i don't have three. I am thinking about doing it on the importance of prayer in helping with the work. I was reading 1 Nephi 1 5 last night and i think that would be a great chapter to prove the importance of using prayer to understand things that are hard.

Ok so the point of this whole blog, so when i as called i decided i didn't want to be a total hypocrite and i reopened all my family history work and started searching. I went through all the names and some how i was guided to a family. The Wake family. I believe i am related to them through my mom's mom. But anyway, i found a family who hadn't had any work done. I was so excited! And after two weeks i finally got to go to the temple and do some of the work for my family. It was a special feeling doing baptisms for these women. I could almost hear the thank yous. Today was a great day at the temple. I was very tired and almost didn't go but the feeling of fulfillment was very excited and fulfilling. I have a testimony of temple work, and the importance of doing our family history. We should never use the excuse that "it's already been done" Because there is always something that could be done for someone. We need to be Grateful for the chance we have to go to a temple that is less then a day's travel away.

I love the temple and i can not wait to partake of the ordnance there someday. I know that if i prepare now, i will one day be able to go there and sit with my family in white and be taught. I love my savior, and if i could see him today i would fall to my knees and say thank you, thank you.